FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 1, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Cooperative Agreement with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments for Measure A North County Subregion Program – Safe Routes to School Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
Description:
The City Council will consider approving an agreement to receive reimbursement funds from Measure A North County Subregion Program for the City -Wide Sc hool Crossing Improvement Project.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) for reimbursement of Measure A North County Subregion Program funding for the City-Wide School Crossing Improvement Project.
BACKGROUND:
The City-Wide School Crossing Improvement Project ( Project) is identified and listed in the Measure A North County Subregion Program in the Measu re A Investment Plan for Santa Barbara County, pursuant to the authority provided by the Road Repair, Traffic Relief and Transportation Safety Measure (Measure A), which was approved by the voters of Santa Barbara County on November 4, 2008.
The Measure A Investment Plan includes $112,710 to be allocated to the Project under the North County Subregion Program. The City of Santa Maria is the lead agency on this project. This project proposes improvement of 55 existing crossings, including the removal and re placement of 72 ADA curb ramps, school crossing, advanced signage, and high-visibility thermoplastic crosswalk striping. The Project is located throughout the City at existing crosswalks located at mid -block and across uncontrolled legs of intersections. The Project aims to increase safety and accessibility of routes to over 20 schools for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
In order to construct the Project, additional funds are necessary. The Project will require $250,000 from a Highway Safety Improvement Pro gram (HSIP) Grant that the City was 2 awarded, and an anticipated $175,000 from Local Share (Gas Tax) along with these Measure A funds.
DISCUSSION:
Under Measure A, a Cooperative Agreement must be executed between SBCAG and the local agency delivering the “named” Project prior to an expenditure of funds. The Cooperative Agreement was approved by the SBCAG Board on June 16th, 2022. The Project is currently in the design phase. The Measure A funds being requested under this Cooperative Agreement are for construction.
The City Manager, or designee, will be the agent for the City and authorized to enter into the Cooperative Agreement.
Alternative(s)
The recommended action is to approve the Resolution stating the City’s participation in the Cooperative Agreement with SBCAG.
If the City Council chooses not to approve the Resolution, the City would lose the opportunity to be reimbursed for critical portions of the Project. A Cooperative Agreement would still be required at a future date in order to receiv e funding. Work completed prior to the approved agreement is not eligible for reimbursement.
Fiscal Considerations
Approval of the Resolution will make the City eligible to enter into the Cooperative Agreement to ensure regional funding may be used for the project.
Impact to the Community
The project will benefit the community by providing safe and accessible routes to over 20 schools throughout the City for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Agreement_Measure A North County Subregion Program Attachment B – Project Layout and Plans_ Measure A North County Subregion Program